Saturday, December 31, 2016

The idea to post my Top Ten Favorite 2016 creations comes from a very talented, sweet lady Karine Gagnon . What a novel idea to test myself with this! Since I love everything I create, to some degree, I was a little apprehensive at first, but in the end I was able to pick out ten personal favorites rather quickly.....however, I'm unable to pick my very most favorite of the year because I have several. : )In order by creation date here are my 2016 Top 10 faves with links to original detailed posts:BFF Easel Card- I consider this my first easel card. It has very special meaning in my heart because I made it for my very best friend of 41 years - Carmel. She is my sister at heart, my earthly angel & I love her to the depth of my soul.

This one brings joyful memories and big smiles watching my little Lucy close her eyes and raise her nose to sniff the air as she sat at the open window on a breezy, beautiful Spring day!

Until one has loved an animal - This one is self-explanatory. It brings out joy and heartache all at once because there is nothing in the world like loving an animal and being loved by them in return. The emotion it evokes is just remarkable. Thanks to my sweet friend Carrie for sharing this wonderful Pinterest photo with me!

Capturing Lucy's striking eyes in the right light is always such a gift! She seems to look right through to your soul. This layout has been my FaceBook cover since it was created. I plan to keep it there quite a long time >^..^<

How wonderful to be able to catch a pigeon just beginning to land on Brianne's (my daughter) hand to feed! I am especially happy that I was able to mimic the brick and stone in the photo! The terracotta and blue tones look great together!

This last creation in 2016 exhilarates me! The color combination is spectacular and I'm very partial to butterflies. I'm a purple-holic so entering this in a challenge with an outrageously gorgeous color scheme of purples, black, grays, white drew me right in!

Thank you for dropping by and I hope you all have a very Happy, Healthy & Loving New Year in 2017. Lisa : )

then made the decision to create a hanging ornament with it.After cutting a circle, I decorated the diameter edge with silver Stickles.The word was centered and some clear mini bling was randomly adhered.

After making the pink pearl strand for the ornament,

I used the same design in varying lengths below the floral arrangement.

I also made some dainty hat pins with pink & silver beads to place with the flowers.

Using my most favorite die, I cut rose leaves in the same Maja Design papers.

Thursday, December 15, 2016

WOW! So hard to believe that another year has gone by and it's time to make Christmas cards again!

This is the 2nd year that I have designed & handcrafted Christmas cards to send to a few special people.

It's challenging and so much fun to create my own design.

I made 15 cards in 'assembly line' fashion, taking one step and applying it to all of the cards,

then moving to the next step and so on.

Shaker cards are made in different ways using different techniques, so let me show you how I created mine.

Step 1 - gathering all supplies & computer printing:

﻿﻿﻿

All supplies are pre-cut & ready for assembly.

Computer printing is done first; then embossing of snowflake stamps

A dated sentiment is printed on the backside

Step 2 - preparing the top decorative piece for the shaker:

﻿

Pre-cut squares of acetate are glued in place on the backside and are centered over the circle die cut area. This is the window for the shaker part.

﻿

All rings are adhered to the front side. These are die cut using two circle dies placed one inside the other, hence producing a ring.

﻿﻿
﻿

The shaker part of the circle die cut has to be lined with foam tape to keep the goodies inside. The rest of the card below the circle needs foam tape to make it the same height as the shaker part.

Step 3 - Adhering & decorating a background center focal point:﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿

An artistic swirly Christmas tree was printed on white cardstock; cut to size; then adhered to become the focal point inside the shaker part of the card. Tiny red pearls were used as ornaments on the tree.

Step 4 - adhering & leaving room to add glittery goodies:

I adhered my decorative piece to the front of the card, leaving a small area of foam tape with its backing still on so it would not adhere to the card, allowing goodies to be added inside. I did this by pouring the goodies from a paper cup through the small opening. Once they were added, I removed the backing from the foam tape using my tweezers and then sealed it tight.

Step 5 - Bow Embellishment:

I made cute bows by hand with some wired tinsel ribbon to decorate the top of the circle shaker.

ok - now this is hilarious....and absolutely must be shared with you! My cute little bows kept mysteriously 'disappearing' from my scrap table!

I soon found out that my kitty, Lucy (aka "Lucy The Bad") was stealing them to use as play things

and also to place them in her most favoritehiding spot.....

the water bowl! LOL!!Ok, maybe just 'cat people' will understand this >^..^<

Final Step 6 - Adhering the pretty reindeer die cut to the card:

Here are some close ups -

Thanks for visiting...and have an especially wonderful Holiday Season!

Come & Visit : )

Blue Fern Studios October 2017 Fan of the Month!

No Copy Cats Please

I hope that some of my work offers ideas and inspiration. I value everything I create because my work comes from my mind and heart. Every piece has special meaning in some way for me so I ask that you not replicate my work. However, feel free to share/post my creations, but please link the image to my iluvcats and scraps blogspot. Thanks so very much for visiting and have a wonderful day! Lisa : )